Riads, kasbahs and hotels
Traditional houses with private room and bathroom, in the medinas or overlooking the valley.
- Private room
- Dinner and breakfast
4 Days Marrakech to Fes Desert Tour via Merzouga
4 days from Marrakech to Fez via the desert
The crossing between the two imperial cities with what is usually missing: a full day to experience the desert from the inside.
From €200 per person Book now
Highlights
- Ait Benhaddou
- Dades Gorges
- Todra Gorges
- Tour around Erg Chebbi
- Gnawa music in Khamlia
- Camel trekking
- Night in a desert camp
- Ziz Valley
- Finish in Fez
Trip overview
Most tours reach Merzouga at sunset and leave at sunrise. Not this one. Here you spend two nights in the area: the first in a hotel at the foot of the dunes and the second in the camp, with a whole day in between to drive around Erg Chebbi and meet the people who live there.
You will visit Khamlia, the village of the Gnawa musicians; have tea with a nomad family; and see the black desert and the area’s old mines before climbing onto your camel. Afterwards the route continues north through the Ziz Valley to Fez.
Ideal for: those who want more than a fleeting night in the dunes and enjoy meeting local people.
- Duration
- 4 days / 3 nights
- Home
- Marrakech
- End
- Fez
- Type
- Private
- Departures
- Every day
- Language
- English / Spanish
Day-by-day itinerary
-
Day1
Marrakech → Ait Benhaddou → Ouarzazate → Dades Valley
We cross the High Atlas at an easy pace, stopping wherever the view demands. At Ait Benhaddou we climb to the top of the ksar to look out over the Ounila Valley and continue via Ouarzazate. The afternoon is spent on the Road of a Thousand Kasbahs and in the Valley of Roses on the way to the Dades.
- Tizi n’Tichka
- Ait Benhaddou
- Ouarzazate
- Valley of Roses
-
Day2
Dades Gorges → Todra Gorges → Merzouga
In the morning we drive up a stretch of the Dades to its famous hairpin bends and then head for the Todra. We walk through the gorge and continue east. We reach Merzouga in mid-afternoon: you settle into a hotel beside the dunes, with time for a first walk on the sand and to watch the sky catch fire.
- Hairpin bends of the Dades
- Walk in the Todra
- Tinghir palm grove
- First sunset in Erg Chebbi
-
Day3
Tour around Erg Chebbi and camel trek
A day devoted entirely to the desert. We drive around the dunes on tracks of sand and stone: Khamlia and its Gnawa music, the tents of nomad families, the old mines and, if it has rained that year, the lake where flamingos sometimes rest. In the afternoon we leave the car and continue by camel to the camp to spend the night in the middle of the dunes.
- Gnawa music in Khamlia
- Tea with a nomad family
- Black desert and old mines
- Dayet Srji lake (seasonal)
- Sunset caravan
-
Day4
Merzouga → Ziz Valley → Fez
After sunrise and breakfast we set off for Fez. The Ziz oasis, wedged into a canyon, looks like a river of palms from above. We go through the Legionnaire’s Tunnel, climb to Midelt and enter the Middle Atlas: cedars, macaques and Ifrane before arriving in Fez.
- Sunrise in the dunes
- Ziz viewpoint
- Midelt
- Azrou cedar forest
- Ifrane
Timings and the order of visits may be adjusted according to the season, road conditions and your preferences.
What’s included
- Private air-conditioned vehicle
- English- or Spanish-speaking driver-guide
- Fuel
- Pick-up and drop-off at your accommodation
- Accommodation every night
- Dinners and breakfasts
- One camel per person in the desert
- Night in a camp with private tent
- Turban and sandboarding in the dunes
- Photo stops whenever you like
What’s not included
- Lunches
- Drinks
- Flights
- Travel insurance
- Entrance fees to monuments
- Tips
Accommodation
We choose small places with character, where a home-cooked dinner is part of the experience. In the desert you can choose between two types of camp.
Standard camp
Private tent with beds, blankets and shared bathrooms. The simplest and most authentic option.
- Private tent
- Dinner and breakfast
- Campfire and drums
Luxury camp
Spacious tents with a large bed, private bathroom and shower, electricity and dinner served at the table.
- Private bathroom
- Dinner and breakfast
- Campfire and drums
A tip from our team
The day in Merzouga can be rounded off with quad bikes or buggies in the dunes. They are not included, but we are happy to book them if you let us know.
Frequently asked questions
Is this a private tour or a group tour?
It is completely private: the vehicle, the driver and the itinerary are just for you and your companions. You will not share the trip with strangers, so we can stop wherever you like and adapt the timings.
Can I change the itinerary of “4 days from Marrakech to Fez via the desert”?
Yes. What you see is our standard proposal. We can add a night, change the start or end point, include a guided visit or adjust the stages to your flights. Tell us what you need and we will send you a tailor-made version.
What is the difference between the standard and the luxury camp?
In both you have a private tent, dinner, breakfast and an evening of drums by the campfire. The luxury camp adds a private bathroom with shower inside the tent and more refined décor; in the standard camp bathrooms are shared and you shower in the morning at the hotel in the village.
How long is the camel trek?
About an hour and a half each way, at a gentle pace and accompanied by a camel handler. We set off a couple of hours before sunset to arrive in good light. If anyone cannot or would rather not ride, let us know and we will find an alternative.
How do I book and how do I pay?
Send us the form or write to us and we will confirm availability and the final price within 24 hours. We accept online payment (Visa, MasterCard and PayPal), as well as cash or card in person.
When is the best time of year for this tour?
You can travel all year round. Spring (March to May) and autumn (September to November) have the mildest temperatures. In winter the days are sunny but desert nights are cold, and in summer it is best to start early and make the most of the vehicle’s air conditioning.
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